Job Search Market

As many are aware, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his administration has pulled together a lawsuit that would force the state’s government workers to accept minimum wage, versus their usual full salaries. This ongoing debate has had California residents picking sides for months, says LegalAuthority.com founder A. Harrison Barnes.

This latest court action is in response to the state’s Controller John Chiang refusal to follow the order based on his stance that the state’s payroll system, all computerized, simply cannot handle the change. The current lawsuit filed by the governor is seeking a restraining order that would force Chiang to make those changes. A. Harrison Barnes says this debate is one that will surely have long term effects and is one that the entire country is watching closely.

Many had predicted at least some of the state’s 200,000 government workers would be seeking new employment opportunities elsewhere; so far, that hasn’t been the case. The LegalAuthority.com founder says many are waiting to see how the courts ultimately decide before making any decisions. Others say it’s more likely because there simply aren’t any newer jobs that are available. Whatever the reasons, it’s growing into a hotly debated topic, regardless of who the employees work for.

In late July, 2010, an appellate court agreed with Schwarzenegger’s argument that the change could move forward since the state was working under the lack of an approved fiscal year budget. Once the budget’s been passed, things could become a bit sticky for both the legal and employment sectors. Still, there are questions as to when the new budget will be passed and if its lack of passage now doesn’t have at least something to do with waiting until the courts decide the legalities of the demands for minimum wage.

Clearly, says A. Harrison Barnes, there are no easy answers. It boils down to either keeping all of the state’s government employees at a reduced salary or lay off many, which will further the state’s already overburdened unemployment budgets. And too, many are questioning just how much they’ll be able to do with $7.25 per hour, especially when their lifestyles support the salaries they’re accustomed to. To be sure, there are ramifications that can affect every employee and in fact, every citizen of the state if the already stressed financial structure continues to falter.

For now, the courts are preparing to hear the governor’s arguments and will likely pass down a decision that could effectively force the controller’s office to make significant changes to its electronic infrastructure so that salaries of the affected employees can each take major hits.

Chapter Two’s coming, but one thing’s or sure, this is one of those cases where there are no winners, not really, and surely no solutions that will benefit all.

Some say an initial telephone interview is ideal for both the interviewer and the interviewee. The reasons are many, especially if the job opening has resulted in an overflow of resume submissions or if a potential candidate lives out of the area. Job candidates appreciate them because it allows them to deal with those awkward first sentences that always come with meeting someone who potentially holds the future, or at least the immediate future, of your career in his hands, says A. Harrison Barnes, career coach and EmploymentCrossing.com founder. Still, just because the pressure’s off with an interview over the phone, that doesn’t mean you can let your guard completely down. There are some important things to keep in mind to ensure the phone interview leads to a face to face meeting. A. Harrison Barnes has put together a few of the best tips that are sure to keep the conversation flowing:

Choose your area and surroundings carefully. You might think Buffy’s cute little bark will make anyone fall in love with your canine, but there’s nothing more infuriating than trying to hold a conversation of a yelping dog. Put Buffy in her kennel outdoors or move into a room where you’re safe from her unpredictable barking.

Ensure the phone is good to go. If you’re using a landline, be sure there’s no static and if you’re using a cordless or your cell, be sure it’s charged or at least plugged into the charger.

Have a few pens and a notepad with you to take notes.

Smile! The interviewer will know it by your speech patterns, says the Hound.com founder.

Before your interview, set up a “fake” phone interview with a friend or family member. You want them to point out any dialect that might be confusing or difficult to understand. For instance, if you’re interviewing with a company in the Midwest, but grew up in the South, odds are, your accent might be difficult to comprehend over the phone. Practice steady speech patterns and breathing techniques as you speak.

Have your resume in front of you and make notes in the margin or on your notepad that you really want to emphasize. Highlight those areas where you saved your last employer money and any projects you oversaw. While the interviewer has your resume in front of her as you’re talking, remember the conversation is to discuss that resume, your skills and abilities to do the job you’re interviewing for.

Don’t interrupt your interviewer! You’re nervous – they get that and it’s fine, but allowing your nervousness to plow over what’s being said is a deal breaker.

If the interviewer says something in the course of the conversation, instead of interrupting her, jot it down on your notepad so that you remember it a minute from now.

One of the most important things to remember, says Barnes, is to cross off any questions you had prepared to ask if the interviewer already answers them in the course of the conversation. There’s nothing more embarrassing for you and frustrating for the interviewer than to go over information that was already discussed.

Remember to thank the interviewer for her time and be sure to follow up with a thank you note.

Many business owners are away from the office more than ever. They’re travelling more and for longer times. Clients are no longer based solely in the U.S., but are now of the international variety. The technological advances of the past decade afford many businesses these incredible opportunities. There are times, however, when video teleconferencing and email won’t serve your needs and only a week on another continent will suffice. Having a staff you trust in your absence is a must. Are your employees loyal and share the same business ethics? Can you rely on them to represent your business in your absence? A. Harrison Barnes, career coach and EmploymentCrossing.com founder says these are legitimate concerns that some business owners aren’t comfortable answering.

If you’re not surrounded by a group of people whom you trust, odds are, you and your business is being held back. It’s the psychology of business. It’s not at all that you’re narcissistic and believe if you are not at the office each morning, the entire outfit falls apart; but rather, it’s that if your employees aren’t showing an enthusiasm for seeing you, your business and even their own careers flourish, you’re never fully focused on other matters that need your attention. That business trip to Europe means you’re going to spend several hours on a flight, consumed by what’s not being done at the office and when you’re at the office, your concern is on getting those big contracts on other continents. If only you could clone yourself.

Since cloning isn’t an option, and really, who would want to? Your priority should be on cultivating your current relationships with employees while also remaining open to bringing new talent on board. Keeping an open mind to the possibilities goes a long way in ensuring you miss nothing when it comes to courting the bi-lingual recent college graduate who majored in engineering technologies. Just as importantly, says A. Harrison Barnes, is the ability to recognize those who simply won’t fit into the office dynamics, regardless of their educational background, will go a long way in allowing you to lift that stress off your shoulders.

The EmploymentCrossing.com founder suggests asking yourself if there ever come a day when you had to place the lion’s share of keeping the business profitable on a long term basis, would you know who that would be? If you can’t think of single employee, or even a business partner, for that matter, you really should rethink your hiring formulas. Knowing you have a single employee who has your back is as important as your profits each year. Before you can recognize that employee, you have to define that employee. It could be that your office manager, who is a whiz at keeping costs down and who wouldn’t spend a dime without either your clearance or a certainty that the expenditure is necessary, is that one bright star who you’d trust. Maybe it’s one of the supervisors who has an intricate knowledge of the goings-on from day to day. Without this employee, you’ll never find peace away from the office. That, regardless of your success, is an almost guaranteed leave of absence due to health problems that develop as a result.

You always knew your manager was way too talented and definitely overqualified for his position. Now it looks as though at least one company has seen what you’ve known all along. He’s been offered an impressive salary package and a challenging new career. He’s also been given free rein to hire whomever he chooses for his department. He approaches you and asks if you want to come along. What do you do? A. Harrison Barnes, LegalAuthority.com founder, says this isn’t as complicated a matter as many think.
If You Do Want to Follow -

Accepting a new position happens every single day. It’s important you provide proper notice and while you might not want to volunteer to HR that you’re following your boss to the new company, you should also avoid lying about it, says A. Harrison Barnes. Work out a notice and check your contract carefully to be sure your bases are covered from a legal aspect.
While the job may be “in the bag”, you still want to polish your resume if for no other reason to have in your new personnel file. You never know when you might need it again anyway. The new job might be perfect for your boss, but there’s no guarantee it’s going to be a good fit for you.

If You Don’t Want to Follow -

This is awkward because you’re telling someone you respect that you don’t want to follow them to their new employment. He might take it personally or he might silently ponder if there’s not something you know that’s not privy to about the new company. Your goal is to politely decline and if he asks why, a simple, “It sounds great, but I am not really in a financial position to take a chance right now” should suffice.

But what happens if your boss’s boss approaches you and wants to know what’s going on. Should you tell him that there’s going to be an opening in supervision at the end of the month? A. Harrison Barnes says under no circumstances should you out your manager. It’s his responsibility to break the news to the higher ups. That’s one bell you can’t unring, so it’s best to just avoid the conversation whenever possible.

Regardless of whether you accept the new position or opt to remain where you are, it’s always in your best interest to remain steady. You can respect your former boss, who’s now working with the competition, without being disloyal to your current employer.
“It’s all about balance and doing the right thing”, says the LegalAuthority.com founder. “Master that, and you’ve accomplished what many spend years trying to perfect.

Rarely, if ever, does one step into a new career and have it fit like a glove. There are tweaks, minor adjustments and slight shifts that allow you to really flourish in whatever position you accept – provided you can make those small changes. Not only that, but few of us are going to be able to excel, at least initially, in every skill that comes with that position. A. Harrison Barnes, a well-respected career coach and founder of EmploymentCrossing.com says this is where a bit of flexibility will serve you well.

The goal is to find those are as in your job responsibilities that you’re stronger in and then implement them into those areas that don’t come as easy for you. For instance, numbers might be your strong suit, but taking that Excel spreadsheet and making an impressive bar graph might be the one thing you dread more than anything. You still have to present that slideshow with those graphs each week, but you can also make that spreadsheet work magic, too. By presenting them both, you’re giving attendees the option of looking at both the data and the graph to get a better sense of what the graph represents.

The EmploymentCrossing.com founder is quick to point out that it doesn’t mean you’re going to eliminate the graphs, but rather, you’re going to lean into that area you’re strongest in so that what you present is indicative of where those strengths lie. Improving your weaknesses won’t be so overwhelming. It could also mean that you reach out to another whose passion is more creative and who doesn’t mind adjusting the graph so that the colors, the appearance and even the font sizes are easier to comprehend. “There’s always something to be learned”, says Barnes. No employer is going to expect one employee to be a master at everything. By shaping your job just a bit, you’re opening up the door for teamwork and a combined effort.

Not only that, and perhaps most importantly, you’re going to flourish in your position while also remaining open to learning new skill sets. After all, no one wants to get so comfortable in those skills they know so well that they miss out on new and better ways of doing things. Otherwise, you’re asking for trouble. As fast as technology moves, not remaining open means you’re going to get left behind. It’s about finding balance in your career, says A. Harrison Barnes.

Challenge yourself, of course, but don’t become so focused on those areas you’re not as strong in, either. Ask for help in those areas that have no room for small adjustments and continue to move forward in those areas that do come easily. It’s all about the give and take and coming together as a team. Once you’ve mastered that, you can work well in any position that comes your way.

What happens when your resume doesn’t include a formal education?   While it’s true a degree can mean higher income levels over the course of your working years, there are still many career choices that people thrive in without the benefit of a degree.  “While you won’t be able to practice law without a degree, there are many career opportunities within the legal field that don’t require a four year degree” says A. Harrison Barnes, founder of LawCrossing.com

A college degree is a proud educational achievement, no doubt.  But having experience counts for a lot, too.  Positions are often given to those employees who have dedicated a good part of their working years to an employer; positions that the competitor might not be able to promote from within, says the LawCrossing.com founder.   It’s not uncommon for companies to “grandfather” those employees who’ve been in the position for awhile, but don’t possess the college degree the job now requires.  That said, there are no guarantees nor is any employer under any obligation to do so.

Some companies even substitute on the job training for some job openings.  It’s important for those with degrees to not become discouraged.  A. Harrison Barnes says, “Employers, while they want to reward loyalty, they’re also not going to compromise a position that clearly requires an advanced education for the sake of an employee who’s been with the company two decades but who does not have the skillset”.

There are times that one has the necessary training and experience and with an impressive resume, yet still can’t land those positions that equate to better money and advancement opportunities.   Barnes recommends these employees consider returning to school.  Night classes are an excellent way to secure that degree.  More universities are offering online courses, too.  It’s become less burdensome for those wishing to secure a degree while maintaining their current work responsibilities.

That new employee who’s now working in the next office might have been brought on board making as much or more than what your own current salary is.  This just reiterates the power of a degree.  There are times when one’s professional resume is the determining factor in what salary he’s offered and that includes whether or not he’s had formal training at a university.

So while there are no hard and fast rules regarding whether or not a degree is necessary to further your career, it’s also always advisable to pursue it for your own reasons.  You’ll discover a new confidence, not to mention to potential for faster promotions and better money.   Who knows, once you begin this new chapter in your life, you may discover you want to pursue a new legal career or nursing job or even a career in politics. In today’s job market, every advantage we can get is one worth having.

As many employers across the country are aware, OSHA implemented the Recordkeeping National Emphasis Program in late 2009.  It only applies to certain industries, says A. Harrison Barnes, LawCrossing.com founder.  The goal of this year long effort is to conduct extensive and in depth reviews and investigations related to on the job injuries and illnesses of several industries (listed below).  So what exactly will this mean when an OSHA inspector shows up to do an audit?

We asked the LawCrossing.com founder and he says the goal is to conduct rather extensive investigations that include reviews of an employer’s workers comp records, health insurance policies, documentation of injuries that are treated onsite and incident reports.  Barnes points out, too, that an inspector may request access to any offsite records and even medical records at hospitals and physicians offices, too.  During an audit, random personnel files will be requested to be checked for compliance.

Other potential avenues include interviews with company officials responsible for maintaining records, interviews with employees and management and a physical tour of any plant or office area.  While this will certainly feel intrusive, the goal is to discover trends and weaknesses in the work place of these establishments in an effort to keep its workers safe.  So what are those industries?  A. Harrison Barnes says this policy encompasses these industries (which can also be found on the government’s OSHA site):

• The animal industry
• Air transportation
• Steel foundries
• Concrete pipe manufacturing
• Other nonferrous foundries
• Soft drink manufacturers
• Couriers
• Mobile home manufacturers
• Rolling mill machinery and equipment manufacturing
• Iron foundries
• Nursing care facilities
• Milk manufacturing
• Seafood canning
• Marine cargo handling
• Copper foundries (except die casting)
• Bottled water manufacturing
• Refrigerated warehousing and storage
• Motor vehicle seating and interior trim manufacturing
• Pet and pet supply stores
• Poultry processing
• Support activities for animal production

As you can see, this effort covers many industries and will be quite time consuming, but as many experts have pointed out, the results will mean safer working conditions for millions.  Finally, a supplemental employee questionnaire may be provided to a random selection of employees in an effort to gain as accurate a profile as possible.  These anonymous forms may include questions such as, “Do you ever take vacation days due to pain from performing tasks at work?”, “Do you know of anyone who has quit because of pain or injury?” and “Do you take over the counter medication for an unreported work related injury?”

There are no specific ailments or accident ratios OSHA is looking for.  It wants accurate information on everything from carpal tunnel syndrome to serious work accidents.  The goal, again, says the LawCrossing.com founder, is to ensure an accurate portrait of how workers cope in the American workforce.

Have you noticed how every online article, website and blog now has a “share” button that leads the body of the text?  The familiar “F” in shades of blue tell us we can easily link virtually anything we find on the web, from YouTube videos to breaking news stories on our local television’s website to our Facebook pages.  But is this smart?  We asked A. Harrison Barnes, a renowned career coach and founder of EmploymentCrossing.com his take on the easy access to linking everything under the sun.  Keep reading, you might be surprised at his position on one touch business growth.

The EmploymentCrossing.com founder says these “share” and/or “recommend” buttons can keep your social networking efforts fresh and active with the latest goings on in our world.  “It’s a great way for business owners to stay connected to their customer base”.  For instance, if you’re a small business owner who is also a woman, an article titled, “Women rule in the small business environment” is something you absolutely want to share.  You know you rule – this is a great way to make sure everyone else knows it, too – including potential new employees.

Another way all this sharing and recommending helps is that it allows you, as a business owner, to reassure your client base and your employees that you know what you’re talking about.  Is 2010 shaping up to become an especially good year for wine makers in California?  Naturally, an article form a well respected publication will reiterate what you’ve been telling your customers from months.  You have, for lack of a better phrase, put your money where your mouth is.  No doubt, social networking and the ease in which we share and trade information have become powerful marketing tools and if you’re not using them, you’re missing out on more than a few golden opportunities that will virtually cost your business no money at all.  This could mean more profits, new location openings and bringing on board new employees.

So are there any downfalls?  A. Harrison Barnes says it’s like everything else, “A healthy dose of caution will always serve you well”.  He suggests only linking, recommending and sharing information from sources that are relevant and respected.  Read past the title of an article or blog to be sure you’re not linking up with an individual who has no true idea of what he’s talking about.  Remember, it’s your reputation you’re building.  As crazy as it sounds, says the EmploymentCrossing.com founder, anything that’s not professional in its appearance, is filled with typographical errors or just full of information that’s not been proven or substantiated, you want to steer clear from.  You’re building your credibility based on what you choose to share with the world.

Finally, be sure your blog and other public areas are current, accurate and worth sharing.  Just as you’re sharing things you find, you want to be able to provide others your own valuable information so that they might share it with their networks.  Again, it’s yet another way to build your brand and it costs nothing.

One of the stars of the award winning Law & Order series announced she and her husband are expecting their first child.  Alane De La Garza is married to Michael Roberts and they both are eagerly anticipating their first child in October.  Naturally, fans of both De La Garza and the Law & Order franchise were hoping her pregnancy would be written into the storylines that are “ripped from the headlines”.  No one’s disappointed – her pregnancy won’t be hidden on the show.   A.  Harrison Barnes, career coach and founder of Hound.com says often, an actress’s pregnancy doesn’t necessarily spill over to a television character she might be playing.  In fact, more times than not, clever camera angles and other props conceal an actress’s pregnancy.

For those of us who aren’t in Hollywood might find ourselves torn over when the share the happy news with our employers and co-workers.  What’s the proper etiquette on when you should reveal and what happens if your happy news isn’t necessarily considered good news for your employer?  The Hound.com founder says it’s difficult to provide an across the board timeline since one’s career, the career field itself and the employer play a big role in how expectant mothers break the news.  The one universal rule, however, is that a woman shouldn’t allow nature to break the news.  If she’s visibly showing and nearing the end of her pregnancy,  it defeats the purpose.  Here are a few more tips from A. Harrison Barnes:

* If you’re planning to become pregnant, you’re afforded an option of revealing your plans or waiting until you become pregnant.  Many career coaches will suggest employees keep their bosses in the loop even before the pregnancy, but there are just as many who say it’s a need to know and there’s  nothing really to know during the planning stages.
* Even if you opt to wait until after your first trimester, you definitely don’t want to wait until your third trimester.  You simply can’t know when your physician will place you on maternity leave or when you run into other difficulties.  This will likely result in an unfair burden being placed on others in your department and possibly even resentment.
* Allowing the courtesy of an early reveal allows your employer to find a temporary replacement and will likely allow you a lot of time to properly train this replacement to step in once you’re out on leave.
* Once you have revealed your secret, A. Harrison Barnes reminds you to keep in mind you’ll likely be expected to provide updates.  While it may feel intrusive, understand that business moves forward, even as you’re enjoying your bundle of joy.

Most new parents will agree that returning to work after having a baby is the hardest part.  It may be that you only wish to return to work on a part time basis.  If that’s the case, a conversation with your manager should be one of the first things you do.  It may be that an arrangement can be worked out that will allow you to telecommute or to share your full time position with another who is OK with part time hours.

And finally, don’t forget to enjoy the ride.  Bringing a new baby into your family will surely be one of the happiest events of your life.

A healthy dose of stress might actually be  good thing for us.  Who knew?  All this time we’ve been moving mountains to keep stress at bay and out of our daily lives.  Lose a job?  Do anything but stress over it.  Last semester of law school?  Just try not to stress over it, right?  Not so fast.  It just might be that a little stress can be a good thing and according to one report, stress might actually serve a healthy purpose – even when you’re job hunting, facing layoffs or just balanced your check book.  A. Harrison Barnes, a leading career coach and founder of Hound.com,  says inspiration can actually be found when you’re under the gun.  It’s the adrenaline, he says and for many of us, that’s when we’re best able to pull off those overwhelming tasks and come out shining because of it.

There’s scientific research that backs this up, too.  All of those chemicals our brains release when we’re feeling pressured can actually give our immune systems a boost in the process.  Ever notice how you tend to get sick right after coming through an especially trying time, such as changing careers, surviving a brutal interview or surviving final exams?  Those bursts of hormones that pulled you through those exhausting days have now powered down and thereby leaving you a bit vulnerable for that head cold that’s making the rounds.

Many of us realize we’re far better equipped to make clear decisions when the pressure’s on.  One reason is that our instincts are sharper, courtesy of those hormones, which A. Harrison Barnes says is always a good thing when you’re preparing for an interview or getting ready for that first day at a new job.  You might feel more alert and energized, too, says the Hound.com founder.  He’s quick to point out, however, that it can be a fine line between a healthy bit of anticipation and that exhausting stress that serves no purpose but to add dark circles under your eyes.

It’s important to de-stress after a long day.  Days of what feel like endless interviews, countless final exams that you’re sure will never end or settling into a new career can really take a toll on anyone.  This is when stress can have an opposite effect and can have unhealthy physical and mental consequences.  Unfortunately, those consequences can lead to depression, anxiety or worse.  It is important to get help if you discover that stress you’ve been feeling is only making things worse.

So next time you’re gearing up for a job interview for your dream position, allow the natural stress you’re feeling to work to your advantage. Remember, though, it might be difficult to find that happy medium.  Follow your instincts, don’t forget to breathe and keep it in perspective.  The sooner you learn to control that unhealthy level of stress, the sooner it stops controlling you.